"THE GONDOLIERS"

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19154, 10 November 1927, Page 7

"THE GONDOLIERS"

BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE. COMIC OPERA COMPANY. Every seat was occupied in the Theatre Royal iast night, when the .1. C. Williamson Gilbert and Sullivan Comic Opera Company produced "-The Gondoliers. M The performance went with a fine spirit, and the house resounded time and again to prolonged applause -The Gondoliers" remains to this day one of the most popular ot the bavoy iiperw. Jt tonned a marked contrast to "Kuddigore" and •The \eomen of the Guard," which it succeeded, and London audiences were entranced with the warmth, and colour and melody, and wit oi the new pioduftion. Sullnan himself declared that "the Gondoliers" gave limi more trouble to compose than any of his previous stage works, not even excepting "H.M.3. Pinafore," which .tie wrote while suffering with intense physical pain. "The Gondoliers" met with the warmest recognition of Royalty, and the then Prince and Princess of Wales paid repeated visits to the Savoy during the first run of the piece in London. In such high estimation in exalted circles was "The Gondoliers" held that a command performance was given at Windsor Castle before the late Queen Victoria in 1891, that being the first theatrical entertainment to take place at Court since the death of the Prince Consort. A melancholy interest attaches to "The Gondoliers," for it was during its first brilliant season at the Savoy that the lamentable estrangement occurred between the dramatist and composer over a ridiculous incident connected with a piece of new carpet for the theatre, and the great Savoy partnership was dissolved in the hey-day of its success. A few dull years followed, but in 1893 the Great Three—Gilbert, Sullivan, and D'Oyly Carte —became reunited in their twelfth opera, "Utopia Limited," which in 1596 was followed by "The Grand Duke," the thirteenth and last of the celebrated series. "The Gondoliers" abounds in tuneful melody from the fine opening chorus, "List and Learn," to the closing quintet and finale. It contains such well-known numbers as the .Duke of Plaza-Toro's "heroic" song, "In Enterprise of Martial Kind," the altogether charming duet by Casilda and Luiz, "There was a Time," with its enchanting refrain, the quintet containing some of Gilbert's serious philosophy, "Try we life-long, we can never straighten out Life's tangled skein," Tessa's beautiful song, "When a Merry Maiden Marries," Giuseppe's patter song, "P„ising > Early in the Morning," Marco's ' song, known everywhere,- "Tako a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," the cachucha chorus and dance, the quartette, "In a Contemplative Fashion," the "No Possible Doubt" song by the Grand Inquisitor, and the song and garotte, "I am a Courtier." Miss Strella Wilson as Gianetta, Miss Mabel Gibson as Tessa, Miss Patti Russell as Casilda, Miss.Williamson as the Duchess.; Mr James Hay as Marco, Mr Lance Fairfax as Giuseppe, Mr Leo Darntoa as Luiz, Mr John Ralston as the Grand Inquisitor, and Mr Charles Walenn as the Duke of Plaaa-Toro, all gave of their best, and the performance proceeded brilliantly. Again the choruses were given with vigour and precision, and . the two colourful scenes, Venice from the other side of the- canal looking towards St. Mark's square, and a pavilion in the palace of Barataria, formetl attractive settings for many gay groupings.

"H.M.S. PINAFORE" TO-NIGHT.

That rollicking and truly Gilbertian opera, "H.M.S. Pinafore," which will be preceded by 'Trial by Jury," will be the sixth change since the initial performance of "Ruddigore" last week, so it will be generally admitted that, the management has strictly adhered to its promise to provide patrons with as much variety ss possible during the present tour; To-night those hearty, deep-throated sea-dogs will dance their simple but lively measures to the most delicious piping of the bo'sun's whistle, once again the music will come merrily over the sea as Sir Joseph Porter and his beautiful maidens are piped aboard, the moon will look steadily down as the gallant captain sings his melodious song, the bold Jack Tar,'as personified by Ralph Rackstraw, the hero of the piece, will woo and win his sweet Josephine, and Dick Deadeye. Little Buttercup, Bill % Bobstay, and Hebe will play their respective parts in this amusing nautical burlesque. Strella Wilson, as Josephine, ii sure to sustain fully her high reputation in this charming role;Chas. Walenn should make an imposing Admiral of the Fleet; James Hay is happily cast as Ralph Rackstrsw; Jack Ralston has scored many successes, but none more than in the character of Captain Corcoran, and Bernard Manning should make an ideal Dick Deadeye. Winifred Williamson's fine contralto voice is eminently suited to the music allotted to Little Buttercup, and the other characters are well placed. The choruses in "Pinafore" are most inspiriting, and when the cousins and the sisters and the aunts join in the musical revels there is pleasure indeed. "Pinafore" will be preceded by the wellknown but ever-popular skit, "Trial by Jury," in which the principal characters will be plaved by Bernard Manning, as the Judge, Patti Russell as plaintiff, Leo Darnton as defendant, and John Byrne as foreman of the jury. "Princess Ida" will be staged to-morrow, and "Pirates of Penzance" twice on Saturday.